"When I found the one I love, I held him and would not let him go" (Song of Solomon 3:4). My name is Kristy Dykes, and I write Christian love stories for Barbour Publishing...perhaps because I live with a hero husband. At this site, I cover marriage, romance, and Christian fiction. These book titles make me smile--and offer great truths: Sometimes I Wake Up Grumpy and Sometimes I Let Him Sleep, Love Extravagantly, Every Marriage Is A Fixer-Upper, Red-Hot Monogamy.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

A SOFT VOICE SPEAKS IN THE NIGHT

The journey had been long and I was hurting bad, real bad. Kristy was in heaven and I was here alone and feeling pain in my physical, spiritual, emotional, mental being. Yes, I did feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit and I had so many friends--hundreds and into the thousands who were praying for me. But the months of pain watching my beloved suffer and leave this world had taken a harsh toll.

I had just returned from a brief get-a-way to Steinhatchee, Fl. Does anyone remember where Steinhatchee is? My sis Norma and her husband drove me to a condo provided by mutual friends and I rested and recovered for several days there and then had returned to my home.

It was my first night back to sleep in my master bedroom where Kristy passed. I wondered if I could sleep there and if I could stay in our home? Would I have to sell it and how was all this going to come down?

Early in the morning just ten days after Kristy's funeral, I was awakened by a voice that came from the corner of the bedroom where I held Kristy's hand and placed it in Jesus' hand as she left this world for heaven. The voice wasn't Kristy's and it wasn't audible. It was surprising and mildly shocking but at the same time I felt unusual warmth, peace, comfort as the voice spoke to me.

The voice was very strong and clear and I heard these words, "Wanda Dunsford is the one I have for you. She will bless you and bless your children, and you will bless her and bless her children."

And that is all the voice said. I was amazed, stunned somewhat, but yet there was sweet comfort and peace. I felt it was God's voice and I held it closely in my heart. No one else heard it. I guess some reading this might not believe such a thing happened or ever happens. I wasn't thinking about the future. I wasn't looking to move ahead in any manner toward a new relationship or new love, but the voice spoke--what I have just described happened.

There was warmth, peace, and a feeling like soothing oil that moved over me. I can't adequately explain it, but this is what I felt.

So, what do you do when such a voice speaks to you? These were unusually unexpected words. They were words that would change my life forever if they were really true words from God.

For me, I let this rest in my heart and went on toward healing and recovery from a very bad storm in my life. I did not tell anyone. I certainly did not contact Wanda. I was hurting all too bad for anything like that. I hadn't asked God for direction in this matter and then heard this voice as a response to my prayer. I hadn't prayed or thought about anything like this. Everything was all too fresh, too raw, to surreal to move ahead. It was only ten days after Kristy's funeral.

The voice spoke to me early on that Sunday morning and later I got dressed and went to my church and heard my brother-in-law, Ron McGee, preach. The next morning I got into their SUV with them and headed North to the Carolina's for a month sabbatical. To be honest, I didn't think about this voice for several weeks. There was no reason to think or act or do anything about this. Remember, I didn't ask for this to happen to me and I assure you if I had done something about it at that time Wanda wouldn't have talked to me or been open to me. She is a lady and would have spurned any advances that I might have made at that time. It wasn't in me to do anything like that because I wasn't ready. I wasn't sure about what had happened and what to do about it. I didn't ask for this and didn't have a clue how any of this would ever work out or if this was something that I wanted to work out. And, obviously Wanda would have a say in all this. She might not feel this was God or might not like or love me or might not want to be a pastor's wife or might not.......

Four weeks passed and I returned to Jacksonville from my sabbatical and preached one Sunday and then left for another few days off to see my daughters and grands. No one knew what had happened. I didn't think about it and obviously didn't talk to anyone about this voice and what I had heard.

I drove to Tampa to see Julie and Alex and Nic and then flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico for another few days with Jennifer, Javier, Claudia, and Lorenzo.

There is a reason why that voice spoke to me and I will explain why in a future post. It took me weeks to understand and fully accept what had happened early that Sunday morning, but over and over the Lord confirmed it in my mind and heart. Still I didn't tell anyone.

God had spoken to Kristy and she told Julie and Norma--though she never talked to me about Wanda--and now God had spoken to me. How would God speak to Wanda? Would she be open to God or to me if I ever contacted her? Would we be attracted to each other? How would all this to come to pass?

Wait until you read what happened there in Puerto Rico with Jennifer. This is an amazing story of love. Another page turns tomorrow.

20 Comments:

Wow, Milton. If a writer put that in a novel it would be a hard sell LOL. But I believe in hearing an audible voice.

It has happened to me a couple times and I had no doubt it was God. Only the voice didn't come from across the room. It was like it was deep inside me, but I heard it in my ears. No one else heard it. Just me.

The first time, the voice told me to invite a non-believer who was sitting in the church pew to my place that day. I was doing sign-language interpreting of the service at the time and she was watching me because she was trying to learn sign. I invited her after church but she had other plans. I began to doubt I heard what I thought I heard. Later that day she called me and in the conversation she gave her heart to the Lord and received Christ.

So when I heard the voice again years later, I obeyed it. This time I don't have a joyous report, but I believe I was a seed planter.

Thanks for the next segment. I am sure Kristy did not want to leave you or her family, but knew God was calling her. I doubt it was easy to think of giving her beloved husband to another woman, even a good one. How precious the depth of love and concern she had for you and yours. How wise to tell one of the daughters. Blessings, Milton.

Wow, just 10 days after Kristy's funeral. It just seems unreal. I will wait and watch for the rest of the story. Why would God put this on you, even though it sounds wonderful, how could you even grieve with this in the back of your mind. Hard to wrap my mind around this.

Hey Big Brother,I'm in with Tricia and Mom and Dad's posts, we are very happy for you. If anyone knows you at all they know you don't jump into things. I think that was the biggest surprise to me more than Wanda was. I know you wouldn't make this big a decision this quickly, unless it was the Father's doing, ( and Kristy's). I don't remember too many people from your days at Bartow because I was a wee young lass, but I do remember Wanda, and I believe it's because she was just as everyone has said, a fine sweet lady, and that made her stand out in my mind. Anyway, from someone in the family who IS impulsive by nature, I say "Kudo's to you and Wanda" Love is precious and though you may not have been the coolest kid in high school you must have done something right for the Father to bless you twice like this.love ya,janet

You're killing me! Won't you please just take the day off from work today and just finish this story??? :-)

Is God cool or what!? What I have a hard time wrapping my mind around is that the God who created this whole universe and everyone in it cares about the smallest detail of my life, or your life, or anyone's life! He is so amazing! We cannot even begin to fathom His love for us. WOW!

Milton, your story, and Kristy's story, is such a testament to God's love for us. THank you for putting your life out there for us to see. You have blessed me greatly.

Knowing the enormity and depth of your grieve as Kristy was dying and after her death, I believe that God knew you needed hope dropped in your spirit. Hope for someone in your future, hope that you would not be alone, hope that help was soon to come....

This hope at times has kept the grief from completely overwhelming you. I, along with many others, had prayed for God to help you. Wanda was part of the help God sent. She understood your grief from her own firsthand experience.

Milton - How I praise GOD for answered prayer! My own mother married a young man recently widowed from brain cancer. My dad's best friend was a pastor, and some time after he married my mom, he told my dad that my mom was one of two women she hoped my dad would marry to raise their children. (my brother and sister were only 4 & 5 when their mother died)

My parents recently celebrated 45 years together, and the love story my dad has shared with us over the years is such a powerful testimony of how God cares for us even in life's darkest moments!

I'm excited to see what God has planned for you! Truly, He is answering Kristy's most tender prayers for the man she loved so well!

When seeds of love are scatter about and planted into good soild, why are we surprised when love springs up? Milton has sown seeds of love and faithfulness throughout the years with Kristy, family, friends and other ways. When harvest time arrives, he will be found with a field of bountiful and plentiful love to gather up.

What a wonderful gift, although I'm certain that you wondered what God was up to at the time. This is like reading one of those old serials, like Perils of Pauline (not that I was around then). I look forward to the next installment of this testimony.Blessings,

I bless you, that whatever your hand findeth to do today, you will do it with your might, that your strength will increase with the help of the Lord, that you will accomplish the plans and tasks He has for you today, that when you feel too weary, or too frustrated, or too uninspired, or too discouraged, or too at-the-end-of-your-rope to continue on that you will break through the fetters that bind you through the power of the Holy Spirit, and your joy shall be full! Now go, and do His will, happily, confidently, exuberantly, expectantly.

Coincidence, some might say. No, it was providence. God's hand. God's interest in all things that concern us. (Remember the scripture about God being concerned about the birds but even more so His children?) Someone said, "Coincidence is when God chooses to be anonymous." However, I feel that if we "give God the glory" for things, He's honored, AND He'll do even more for us. I always attribute good things happening in my life as coming directly from the Lord.

About Me

“Pizzazz! Enthusiasm! High energy! Those are a few of the words that describe Kristy Dykes. From the moment she steps up to the platform, she captivates your attention. As both a writer and a speaker, Kristy is moving and motivating. She will touch your heart with love and laughter.”-- FLORENCE LITTAUER. A former newspaper columnist, Kristy Dykes is an award-winning author of 10 Christian fiction titles as well as over 600 articles in many publications including two New York Times subsidiaries. Her titles have been on the Christian bestsellers list and Top 20 List at christianbook.com, and have won many awards including Second Place in the 2007 Barclay Gold, Third Place in the 2007 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest, and Third Place in the ACFW 2006 Book of the Year Contest (novella category). Kristy writes a column for the ezine of the inspirational chapter of Romance Writers of America, has taught at many conferences and two colleges, and speaks for women's and writers' events.
Living a kaleidoscopic life as a pastor’s wife, she jokes that she has 1.2 million acts of kindness in circulation instead of 1.2 million books. And she loves every minute of it!

A RECENT AWARD

Kristy won Second Place in the 2007 Barclay Gold for her novella "Angel Food" in the 4-in-1 collection Kiss the (Cook) Bride. She won Third Place for the same title in the 2007 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest, awarded by FHL, the inspirational chapter of Romance Writers of America. Kristy also won Third Place in the 2006 Book of the Year Contest, awarded by American Christian Fiction Writers, for her novella "Reunited" in the 4-in-1 collection Wedded Bliss?.

KRISTY'S PUBLISHED WORKS

The Heart of the Matter

Kiss the Bride

Wedded Bliss?

Room At the Inn

Holiday At the Inn

The Tender Heart

Church in the Wildwood

Sweet Liberty

American Dream

KRISTY'S UPCOMING RELEASE

Florida Weddings (Spring '08)

KRISTY'S LATEST BOOKS

1) The Heart of the Matter, a novel, is now available at christianbook.com. "Can Luke overcome his vain prejudice? Can Jeris allow her tender heart to trust again? Will they let God show them the heart of the matter?" (1 Samuel 16:7) 2) Kiss the Bride, a 4-in-1 novella collection, is also available. Coauthors: Kristy Dykes, Aisha Ford, Vickie McDonough, Carrie Turansky. Plot: Four restaurant owners discover a dash of hope, a dollop of longing, and a plateful of faith are the recipe for romance.